Just to gain some perspective, I'd like everyone to please take a look...If this has already been discussed on another thread, I apologize for reposting...
In September of 2009, resident Henry Davis was wrongfully arrested, beaten, and charged with 4 counts of property damage for getting blood on officers clothes. They arrested the wrong Henry Davis, despite his continual statement that he was innocent. There was a warrant out for the arrest of a Henry Davis with a different middle name and social security number. After being taken to a cell officers continually beat him, kicked him in the head, slammed him against a brick wall, all while he was handcuffed and defenseless. A female police officer got on Plaintiffs back and handcuffed Plaintiff with Plaintiffs arms behind his back and lying on his stomach, the complaint continues. Just before Plaintiff was picked up to his feet, Defendant White rushed in the cell a second time and kicked Plaintiff in the head while Plaintiff was lying on the floor and handcuffed with his arms behind his back. He ran in and kicked me in the head, Davis recalled, according to The Daily Beast. I almost passed out at that point
Paramedics came
They said it was too much blood, I had to go to the hospital. Due to the graphic nature of the picture, I'll let you guys google it if you desire further proof. After posting bail, Davis sued. Magically police failed to produce the recorded footage because it there was somehow an error and cops failed to save the correct footage. Later the officers denied getting blood on their clothing which is perjury. Perjury, no matter who you are, is a felony. The prosecutor, Robert McCulloch, dropped the charges claiming Davis's concussion and split forehead were minimal and not worth prosecuting. The judge ruled in favor of the city and the case is currently being slated to go to the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals. When Davis's lawyer attempted to get the officers past offenses he ran into this: "He learned that before a new chief took over in 2010 the department had a surprising protocol for non-fatal use-of-force reports. The officer himself could complete it and give it to the supervisor for his approval, the prior chief, Thomas Moonier, testified in a deposition. I would read it. It would be placed in my out basket, and my secretary would probably take it and put it with the case file." No copy was made for the officers personnel file." Therefore, if Wilson had any prior conviction of assault beyond 2010 we wouldn't be able to find it anyways.
Also worth noting..
"A St. Louis Post-Dispatch investigation in 2003 found that dozens of small police departments in the region suffered from poor training owing to a lack of funding, leading to inadequate investigations of complex crimes and an uneven use of force. The newspaper further found that this led to problematic officers moving easily between one citys force to another without punishment."
Also worth noting again...
"St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley on Friday said he is leading an effort to remove the county prosecutor from investigating the Michael Brown case because he thinks the prosecutors personal experiences and recent statements have tainted his ability to act objectively.
Brown, a black 18-year-old, was fatally shot by Officer Darren Wilson last Saturday in Ferguson, Mo. Wilson is white. Dooleys spokeswoman, Pat Washington, said there have been long-standing concerns among many black leaders in the community regarding County Prosecutor Robert McCullochs ability to handle such cases because his father was killed in the line of duty when McCulloch was 12 years old. The man who shot his father was black."
Does this mean Wilson is guilty? No. But it does hopefully give insight to the attitudes of Ferguson police and why the community is so angry. After reading this, I'm a little irritated myself. This doesn't make stealing okay. Or change the circumstances of the crime. But I hope it does explain why there is such little trust in the department.
Jon Swaine ‏
